National Underclassmen Combine

The National Underclassmen Combine/NUC Sports is a professional, privately owned recruiting program and three-day training and assessment function for high school football players to display their skills and potential. It is one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind, the purpose of which is to connect talented football athletes with collegiate programs willing to offer them a scholarship. Notable players to go through the system include Joe Haden, cornerback for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, and Marcus Lattimore, star running back for the University of South Carolina. Founded by former University of Connecticut linebacker David Schuman, the first combine event was held in New Jersey in 2005.

According to ESPN recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg, “Combines … are platforms for kids to get initially identified, for young kids to emerge, etc.” Dave Schuman, the founder of National Underclassmen Combine, observes that college football programs are now looking to younger students as potential recruits. Previously, a football player would not have to consider his options for playing collegiate football until his senior year. Now many elite programs are extending scholarship offers to students at the beginning of their junior years of high school.

A typical weekend combine organized by National Underclassmen is a three-day event. The first day consists of preparatory events: combine prep training, positions skill training and All American recruiting. Day 2 includes the actual combines: tests of athletic ability and football-specific skills. Seventh through ninth graders participate in the morning, while sophomores and juniors work out during the afternoon...

The tests and drills on day two of the combine allow athletes to gauge their abilities against competition. Standard drills include the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, bench press and vertical leap. National Underclassmen Combine also administers position-specific drills, such as throwing strength and accuracy, catching ability, and offensive and defensive line work.